Combination check valve and pressure rise rate valve

ABSTRACT

A combination check valve and pressure rise rate valve is provided for regulating the flow of fluid between a first fluid side and a second fluid side. The valve may include a valve body, a valve insert positioned within an aperture of the valve body, and a check poppet attached to the valve insert. In addition, the valve may include a cylinder positioned within the valve insert, a piston slidably positioned within the cylinder, a spring positioned between the cylinder and the valve insert, and an accumulator formed between the cylinder and the piston.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/435,365, filed May 9, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,708. This prior application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the design of valves and more particularly, to the design of a combination check valve and pressure relief valve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Check valves and pressure relief valves are known in the art. Generally, a check valve acts to restrict flow in one direction, while a relief valve is used to regulate pressure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,092 discloses a combined check valve and pressure relief valve having a resilient duckbill valve body that is manually operated. Fluid passing through a cylindrical core around a valve actuator functions to open the lips of the duckbill valve body to permit the free flow of the fluid while back pressure functions to seal the lips of the duckbill valve. Manual depression of the valve actuator, however, causes the valve actuator to penetrate and open the valve lips to selectively permit backflow to provide the relief valve function. It is also known to provide check valve and pressure relief functions that are activated by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.

Although these valves are capable of achieving their intended purpose, relief valves actuated by fluid pressure must be set during assembly to the desired activation pressure or flow rate. For example, in some prior art valves, this procedure is performed by subjecting the valve to pressure and then manually adjusting the setting. In other prior art valves, the valve is adjusted by measuring a compression force on the valve spring and then locking the valve insert once the desired activation pressure or flow is established. These setting procedures are time consuming and add to the cost of installation for valves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome these, and other disadvantages, a combination check valve and pressure relief valve is provided for use in regulating the flow of fluid between a first fluid side and a second fluid side. The valve may include a valve body, a valve insert positioned within an aperture of the valve body, a check poppet attached to the valve insert, and a check spring positioned between the valve insert and the valve body. In addition, a relief spring and a relief poppet may be positioned within a cavity formed by the valve insert and secured in position by the check poppet. The combination of the valve insert and the check poppet is adapted to move relative to the valve body and against the force of the check spring to permit fluid to pass from the first fluid side to the second fluid side, and the relief poppet is adapted to move relative to the check poppet against the force of the relief spring to allow fluid to pass from the second fluid side to the first fluid side.

A better understanding of these and other advantages, objects, features, properties and relationships of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, which set forth illustrative embodiments and which are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other benefits and objects of this invention are disclosed herein and will be obvious to readers of ordinary skill in the art. It should be appreciated by those with skill in the art, however, that the disclosed embodiments may be used in a wide variety of applications where both a check valve and relief valve function is required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a rear elevational view of a vehicle including a transaxle incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional, front view of the transmission shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the transaxle shown in FIG. 1 with certain portions, including the side housing, removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a first embodiment of a combination check valve and pressure relief valve;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the valve shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded perspective view of the valve shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 4 along lines A-A with the check poppet and relief poppet portions in the closed position;

FIG. 8 depicts an orthogonal, sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 4 with the check poppet in the open position;

FIG. 10 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 4 with the relief poppet portion in the open position;

FIG. 11 depicts a sectional view of a center section for a single pump hydrostatic transmission in which the valve shown in FIGS. 4 through 10 is installed;

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of a first embodiment of a relief poppet;

FIG. 13 depicts a side view of the relief poppet shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating the performance characteristic of a valve incorporating the first embodiment of the relief poppet shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of a second embodiment of a relief poppet;

FIG. 16 depicts a side view of the relief poppet shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating the performance characteristic of a valve incorporating the second embodiment of the relief poppet shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of a third embodiment of a relief poppet;

FIG. 19 depicts a side view of the relief poppet shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a graph illustrating the performance characteristic of a valve incorporating the third embodiment of the relief poppet shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 depicts a side view of a second embodiment of a combination check valve and pressure relief valve;

FIG. 22 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 21 along the lines B-B;

FIG. 23 depicts a perspective view of the valve shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 depicts a side view of a third embodiment of a combination check valve and relief valve;

FIG. 25 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 24 along the lines C-C;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the valve shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 24 with the internal springs removed;

FIG. 28 depicts a side view of a fourth embodiment of a combination check valve and relief valve;

FIG. 29 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 28 along the lines D-D;

FIG. 30 depicts a perspective view of the valve shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 depicts a sectional of the valve shown in FIG. 28 with the internal springs removed;

FIG. 32 depicts a side view of a fifth embodiment of a combination check valve and relief valve;

FIG. 33 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 32 along the lines E-E;

FIG. 34 depicts a perspective view of the valve shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 depicts a side view of a sixth embodiment of a combination check valve and pressure rise rate valve;

FIG. 36 depicts a perspective view of the valve shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 depicts an exploded perspective view of the valve shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 38 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 35 along lines F-F with the check poppet and piston in the closed positions and the cylinder in the first position;

FIG. 39 depicts an orthogonal, sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 35 with the check poppet in the open position;

FIG. 41 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 35 with the piston in the open position and the cylinder in a second position;

FIG. 42 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 35 with the piston in the closed position and the cylinder in a second position;

FIG. 43 depicts a side view of a combination check valve and pressure relief valve similar to that depicted in FIG. 4;

FIG. 44 depicts an exploded perspective view of the valve shown in FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 depicts a sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 43 with the check poppet in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, there is generally illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 11 a combination check valve and pressure relief valve (“valve”) 30. In addition, throughout the following description multiple embodiments of valve 30 or other elements may be described. Any reference to elements that are described in more than one embodiment will be given the same number that the element was given in the first embodiment with an additional prefix numeral, except for the first embodiment which will not receive a prefix numeral. While valve 30 will be described in the context of a hydrostatic transmission, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill that valve 30 may also be utilized in connection with a myriad of additional applications. In addition, valve 30 shown herein may be easily assembled into a cartridge configuration and requires no special tools or procedures to adjust/set the pressure relief setting.

FIG. 1 shows a typical vehicle 10 in which a hydrostatic transaxle 12 is mounted. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic components of transaxle 12. Generally, such devices operate on the principal of an input shaft 14 driving a hydraulic pump 16. As pump 16 rotates it displaces fluid through porting 23 located in a center section 22 to drive a motor 20, all of which are located within a generally fluid filled sump 26. As shown in FIG. 3, motor 20 is also associated with a shaft 24 that is capable of driving a gear train 25, which may further drive wheels 11 of a vehicle 10. Although this description describes a hydrostatic transaxle containing an axial piston pump and axial piston motor, it should be appreciated that the disclosed embodiments may also be used in conjunction with a variety of hydraulic devices such as stand-alone hydraulic pumps or motors that may be of other configurations, such as radial piston, gerotor, and the like. For a more detailed description of the principles of operation of a hydrostatic transmission, the reader is referred to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,201,692, and 6,322,474, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

As noted above and as shown in FIG. 11, for placing hydraulic pump 16 in fluid communication with hydraulic motor 20, center section 22 includes hydraulic porting 23. Hydraulic porting 23 is in further fluid communication with a source of makeup fluid, such as a fluid sump 26 or a charge gallery. Generally, the hydraulic porting comprises a high pressure side through which fluid moves from hydraulic pump 16 to hydraulic motor 20 and a low pressure side through which fluid returns from hydraulic motor 20 to hydraulic pump 16. Since fluid tends to leak from various components, hydraulic pump 16 generally requires more fluid than is returned from hydraulic motor 20 via the low pressure side porting. This requirement for fluid may be satisfied by using valve 30. Generally, valve 30 functions to prevent the flow of fluid from hydraulic porting 23 to the source of makeup fluid, while also allowing fluid to flow from the source of makeup fluid into hydraulic porting 23 when the fluid pressure in the hydraulic porting is lower relative to the fluid pressure in the source of makeup fluid. In cases where the fluid pressure in hydraulic porting 23 is excessive, determined on an application by application basis, valve 30 further functions to relieve this excess fluid pressure by allowing fluid to be discharged from hydraulic porting 23 to the source of makeup fluid.

To this end, valve 30 may be mounted in center section 22 between a first fluid side A and second fluid side B. In the application described herein, the first fluid side A is associated with the source of makeup fluid while the second fluid side B is associated with the porting that provides a fluid path between hydraulic pump 16 and hydraulic motor 20. By way of example, FIG. 11 illustrates valve 30 installed in an exemplary center section 22 for a hydrostatic transmission carried as part of an integrated hydrostatic transaxle. It should be appreciated by those with skill in the art, however, that the illustrated embodiments are not intended to be limiting and that valve 30 may be used in connection with other applications.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes screw threads to attach valve 30 to center section 22. Other means for securing valve 30 to center section 22 are known in the art.

To allow for the flow of fluid from fluid side A to fluid side B when fluid side B is under lower pressure relative to fluid side A, valve 30 is comprised of a valve body 32 having an aperture 33, a valve insert 36 that is slidably positioned within aperture 33 and a check poppet 42. More specifically, valve insert 36 has a first end 36A and a second end 36B, first end 36A of valve insert 36 being positioned within and extending through aperture 33 and second end 36B of valve insert 36 forming a valve stop 37. Check poppet 42 is attached to first end 36A of valve insert 36 and the combination of valve insert 36 and check poppet 42 positioned in a slidable relationship with valve body 32 forms unitary valve 30. Valve stop 37 may form various shapes and sizes, however, the length of valve stop 37, which shall be defined as the greatest horizontal dimension of valve stop 37, must exceed the diameter of aperture 33. It should also be understood that valve stop 37 may exist as an integral portion of valve insert 36 or as a separate and distinct portion capable of being removably attached to valve insert 36.

For creating a biasing relationship between valve body 32 and the combination of valve insert 36 and check poppet 42, valve 30 may include a check spring 34 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 11. Check spring 34 is optional in the embodiments described herein, but in some situations, such as inverted orientation, check spring 34 may improve the operating characteristics of a transaxle. Furthermore, as will be obvious to one skilled in the art, fluid flow through the valve is simplified and improved when check spring 34 is removed; in this situation the alternative fluid paths through valve insert 36 from sump 26 to porting 23 described below are unnecessary and may be eliminated.

Optional check spring 34 is positioned between valve insert 36 and valve body 32. More specifically, check spring 34 is placed within aperture 33 of valve body 32 and rests against lip 35, which is formed on an internal portion of valve body 32. The other end of check spring 34 rests on valve stop 37.

For connecting first end 36A of valve insert 36 to check poppet 42, first end 36A of valve insert 36 extends through aperture 33 of valve body 32 and includes screw threads 44. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the screw threads are capable of removably connecting valve insert 36 to check poppet 42. The combination of valve insert 36 and check poppet 42 allows the slidable relationship with valve body 32 to be assumed while keeping valve insert 36 and check poppet 42 captured in valve body 32. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a threaded relationship between valve insert 36 and check poppet 42, it should be understood that other means for removably connecting valve insert 36 to check poppet 42 may also be used, such as retaining rings, a snap fit, etc.

When the force on check poppet 42, caused by the fluid pressure from fluid side A being greater than the fluid pressure on fluid side B (the “check pressure differential”), is sufficient to overcome the restoring force of check spring 34, the check pressure differential will influence the movement of check poppet 42 away from valve body 32 until valve stop 37 contacts step 48 of valve body 32, thereby compressing check spring 34 into valve body 32. As shown in FIG. 9, this movement creates a gap 51 between valve body 32 and check poppet 42. In this manner, the movement of check poppet 42 away from valve body 32 breaks a sealing engagement between check poppet 42 and valve body 32, thereby allowing the fluid under pressure in fluid side A to flow into fluid side B. As shown in FIG. 9, hydraulic fluid flows from sump 26 (not shown), through the space between valve insert 36 and valve body 32 where spring 34 is located, and then through gap 51 into porting 23 (not shown). Hydraulic fluid may optionally flow through openings 47 and into the central hollow portion of valve insert 36. The hydraulic fluid may then flow out through openings 49 and into gap 51. Fluid should be able to flow readily through either the space between valve body 32 and valve insert 36 or through the route formed in valve insert 36 by opening 47 and opening 49, or through both routes, to provide a minimal pressure drop for fluid entering porting 23 under the anticipated environmental and performance conditions for valve 30 to function properly.

Once the check pressure differential and flow of fluid from fluid side A is no longer sufficient to overcome the restoring force of check spring 34, the return force provided by check spring 34 urges valve stop 37 formed on valve insert 36 away from valve body 32, which directs check poppet 42 back towards valve body 32. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, movement of check poppet 42 back towards valve body 32 functions to return check poppet 42 into sealing engagement with valve body 32, thereby preventing the flow of fluid between porting 23 and sump 26 through gap 51. In a valve configuration where the opening of the valve is oriented downwards, or towards the ground, the force of gravity is usually sufficient to move check poppet 42 toward valve body 32. In other orientations, building system pressure will also force check poppet 42 toward valve body 32; however, use of optional check spring 34 may provide improved smoothness of transition from when check poppet 42 is in the unseated or open position to the seated or closed position, thus, minimizing a possible jerk as system pressure builds rapidly once check poppet 42 is restored to the seated position.

To allow for the flow of fluid from fluid side B to fluid side A when the fluid in fluid side B is at a predetermined pressure relative to the fluid in fluid side A, relief poppet 40 may be moved from a sealed position (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) to an open position (as shown in FIG. 10). When relief poppet 40 is in the open position, fluid will flow from porting 23 through opening 43 of check poppet 42, around the periphery of relief poppet 40 and through the central portion of valve insert 36. Then, fluid will flow out of passage 49 past valve insert 36 and into sump 26, or out passage 47 past the open areas of valve stop 37 into sump 26. Therefore, when the fluid pressure from fluid side B is greater than the pressure on fluid side A (the “relief pressure differential”) and the force resulting from the relief pressure differential is sufficient to overcome the restoring force of relief spring 38, fluid may flow from fluid side B to fluid side A. At least one of passages 47 and 49 or an equivalent is required for the relief valve function to be effective.

When the relief pressure differential is no longer sufficient to overcome the restoring force of relief spring 38, relief spring 38 forces relief poppet 40 back towards opening 43 in check poppet 42. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, movement of relief poppet 40 back towards check poppet 42 functions to return relief poppet 40 into sealing engagement with check poppet 42 to thereby restrict the flow of fluid from porting 23 around relief poppet 40 to sump 26.

For establishing the pressure relief setting for valve 30, check poppet 42 is tightened on screw threads 44 until a torque level is achieved that indicates valve insert 36 has contacted inside surface 46 of check poppet 42, thereby compressing relief spring 38 to a predetermined height and establishing the pressure at which the relief portion of valve 30 will open. Further, when check poppet 42 is secured to valve insert 36, all components of valve 30 are secured such that valve 30 becomes a complete assembly with a pre-established pressure relief setting.

Since the relief pressure is set by the physical configuration of valve 30 components, no steps are required to set check spring 34 or relief spring 38 to a particular spring compression during assembly or installation of valve 30. Rather, the desired fluid flow at a desired opening pressure is a function of the spring constants, physical dimensions, and amount of compression of check spring 34 and relief spring 38, which may be calculated in a manner well known to those of skill in the art. Therefore, cost of assembly for the described valve 30 is also reduced.

To reduce the aggressiveness of the efficient hydraulics during vehicle acceleration and deceleration, an optional bleed passage 41 is incorporated into relief poppet 40. Bleed passage 41 provides a flow path for the hydraulic fluid from porting 23 through valve insert 36 and to sump 26. For providing a fluid seal when relief poppet 40 is in a closed position, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a relief poppet 40 with a substantially spherical surface 45. While the spherical surface is preferred for engaging the periphery of passage 43, it should be understood that many other shapes for relief poppet 40 may be employed to accomplish similar functionality. Relief poppet 40 may also include a spherical surface on each side so that relief poppet 40 may be properly installed regardless of which side cooperates with opening 43. It should be appreciated, however, that both sides of relief poppet 40 are not required to be the same shape.

For sealing valve 30 against raised boss 54, which extends from center section 22 through a hole 56 located in filter wall 58 of filter 60 (as shown in FIG. 11), valve 30 may include a washer 50 and o-ring 52. Washer 50 aids in properly locating and retaining filter 60 and properly compressing o-ring 52 for sealing. Details of the configuration assumed by washer 50 and o-ring 52 shown in FIG. 6 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,996, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. It should be emphasized that while washer 50 functions to assist in the retention of filter 60, it is not a required element of the valve. Furthermore, o-ring 52 may also be eliminated in certain operational circumstances where the sealing and pre-load benefits of o-ring 52 are not desired or required.

As shown in FIG. 11, valve 30 may also be associated with additional components, such as a bypass mechanism. While it is commonly known in the art to provide a bypass mechanism, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,996 referenced above, in order for the bypass mechanism to be effective, check poppet 42 or similar element of valve 30 must be moveable, thereby allowing fluid to flow between fluid side A and fluid side B when the bypass is actuated. To actuate the bypass mechanism in the preferred embodiment of valve 30, a portion of valve insert 36 is configured to allow bypass actuator 62 to contact it and move it when bypass rod 64 is actuated. When bypass rod 64 is actuated, bypass actuator 62 is moved to contact valve stop 37, thereby causing valve insert 36 to slide within valve body 32, thereby lifting check poppet 42 from its sealing engagement with valve body 32, which will allow fluid to flow between porting 23 and sump 26.

As mentioned above, it should be understood by those with skill in the art that many different relief poppet 40 designs may be employed. It should also be understood that the performance of valve 30 may vary as a result of the relief poppet 40 design that is incorporated, as exemplified by the following embodiments of relief poppet 40 and the corresponding performance curves described below.

A first embodiment relief poppet 40 is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. This embodiment is called a “squaucer” because of the combination of a generally square outer periphery and spherical, flying saucer-like, upper and lower surfaces. An approximate performance curve for this embodiment is provided in FIG. 14.

A second embodiment relief poppet 140 is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. This embodiment has replaced the spherical surface of the previous embodiment that interfaces with relief spring 38 with a slot 66 and cutout portions 67. This configuration is shown without an optional bleed passage, and has the approximate performance characteristic shown in FIG. 17.

A third embodiment relief poppet 240 is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. This embodiment has a generally circular outer periphery and has an overall shape described as “flying saucer.” The approximate performance curve for this embodiment is provided in FIG. 20.

A valve embodiment similar to that of the first embodiment, i.e., valve 630, is shown in FIGS. 43, 44 and 45. With the exception of check spring 634, all the elements of this valve are essentially identical to valve 30. In certain combinations of pressure and flow, the valves shown herein may benefit from the check spring design shown, for example, in FIG. 44. Check spring 634 is designed to be captured between step 48 formed on valve body 32 and valve stop 37 formed on valve insert 36. Check spring 634 provides less resistance to flow both from fluid side A to fluid side B and from fluid side B to fluid side A, thus improving fluid flow and, in combination with the more robust design of check spring 634 as compared to check spring 34, provides for improved retention of check spring 634 as compared to check spring 34.

A second embodiment of the valve, i.e., valve 130, is shown in FIGS. 21, 22, and 23. Check poppet 142 extends through valve body 132, and valve insert 136 is attached to check poppet 142 by means of threads formed on check poppet 142 to retain the internal elements of valve 130. Ball 68 serves in place of relief poppet 40. Passage 147 is provided in valve insert 136 to allow pressure relieved fluid to escape to sump 26. Valve insert 136 also includes valve stops 137, which are spaced about the periphery of valve insert 136, to limit the movement of the central portion of valve 130. In addition, similar to the fluid flow created in the first embodiment of the valve, when conditions cause valve 130 to operate as a check valve, gaps adjacent to valve stops 137 provide space through which fluid may enter valve 130 and porting 23.

A third embodiment of the valve, i.e., valve 230, is shown in FIGS. 24 to 27. Check poppet 242 in this embodiment comprises legs 70, each of which have a locking feature 72 used to capture valve insert 236. The space between legs 70 and passage 247 allows fluid to freely flow to or from porting 23 depending on whether check poppet 242 or relief poppet 40 opens, respectively. Valve insert 236 also includes valve stops 237, which are spaced about the periphery of valve insert 236, to limit the movement of the central portion of valve 230.

A fourth embodiment of the valve, i.e., valve 330, is shown in FIGS. 28 through 31. Pin 74 inserted through a pair of holes 76A, 76B, or 76C act to constrain the internal components of valve 330. In this embodiment, each pair of holes 76A, 76B, or 76C are located at varying distances from the top portion of check poppet 342. To vary the amount of compression that relief spring 338 exerts, therefore, pin 74 may be inserted into holes which are closer or farther from the top portion of check poppet 342. The placement of pin 74 with respect to the top portion of check poppet 342 may also cause the gap between check poppet 342 and valve body 332 to vary, which would affect fluid flow between sump 26 and porting 23. It should also be understood that pin 74 may be used as a valve stop in this embodiment and others.

A fifth embodiment of the valve, i.e., valve 430, is shown in FIGS. 32 through 34. Check poppet 442 has legs 470, which extend past valve insert 436 and which cooperate with retaining ring 78. For retaining the internal components of valve 430, valve insert 436 is positioned between a slot bottom formed in the bottom of check poppet 442 and retaining ring 78. Further, retaining ring 78 is captured by legs 470. Therefore, valve insert 436 is locked between check poppet 442 and retaining ring 78. Retaining ring 78 is located within a groove formed in legs 470 of check poppet 442. The portion of valve insert 426 that extends outside of retaining ring 78 acts as a valve stop 437.

A further embodiment is depicted, for example, in FIGS. 35 to 42. As in previous embodiments, valve 530 is comprised of a valve body 532 having an aperture 533, a valve insert 536 that is slidably positioned within aperture 533 and a check poppet 542. Valve insert 536 has a first end 536A and a second end 536B, first end 536A of valve insert 536 being positioned within and extending through aperture 533 and second end 536B of valve insert 536 forming a valve stop 537. Check poppet 542 is attached to first end of 536A of valve insert 536 and the combination of valve insert 536 and check poppet 42 positioned in a slidable relationship with valve body 532 forms a unitary valve 530. Valve stop 537 may form various shapes and sizes; however, the length of valve stop 537, which shall be defined as the greatest horizontal dimension of valve stop 537, must exceed the diameter of aperture 533. It will be understood that valve stop 537 may exist as an integral portion of insert 536 or as a separate and distinct portion capable of being removably attached to valve insert 536.

While none is shown in FIGS. 35 to 42, it will be understood that a check spring, like spring 34 shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, or spring 634 shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, may be employed with valve 530. However, as in previously depicted embodiments, the use of a check spring is optional.

For connecting first end 536A to check poppet 542, first end 536A extends through aperture 533 of valve body 532 and includes screw threads 544. As shown in FIGS. 38 to 42, screw threads 544 are capable of removably connecting valve insert 536 to check poppet 542. The combination of valve insert 536 and check poppet 542 allows the slidable relationship with valve body 532 to be assumed while keeping valve insert 536 and check poppet 542 captured in valve body 532. Although the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 38 to 42 includes a threaded relationship between valve insert 536 and check poppet 542, it will be understood that other means of removably connecting valve insert 536 to check poppet 542 may also be used, such as retaining rings, a snap fit, etc.

The check function of this embodiment works in much the same way as in the previous embodiments. When the force on check poppet 542, caused by the fluid pressure from fluid side A being greater than the fluid pressure on fluid side B (the “check pressure differential”), is sufficient to overcome the force acting on check poppet 542 caused by gravity, the check pressure differential will influence the movement of check poppet 542 away from valve body 532 until valve stop 537 contacts step 548, which is integrally formed on valve body 532.

As shown in FIG. 40, this movement creates gap 551 between valve body 532 and check poppet 542. In this manner, the movement of check poppet 542 away from valve body 532 breaks a sealing engagement between check poppet 542 and valve body 532, thereby allowing the fluid under pressure in fluid side A to flow into fluid side B, through the space between valve insert 536 and valve body 532, and then through gap 551 into porting 23 (i.e., fluid side B). Hydraulic fluid may optionally flow through openings 547 and into the central hollow portion of valve insert 536. The hydraulic fluid may then flow out through openings 549 and into gap 551. Fluid should be able to flow readily through either the space between valve body 532 and valve insert 536 or through the route formed in valve insert 536 by opening 547 and opening 549, or through both routes, to provide a minimal pressure drop for fluid entering porting 23 under the anticipated environmental and performance conditions for valve 530 to function properly.

Once the check pressure differential and flow of fluid from fluid side A is no longer sufficient to overcome the force of gravity acting on check poppet 542, check poppet 542 will return to sealing engagement with valve body 532, thereby preventing the flow of fluid between porting 23 and sump 26 through gap 551.

As shown in FIGS. 35 to 42, valve 530 also functions as a pressure rise rate valve. This feature gives valve 530 the ability to quickly open when there is a rapid pressure rise in fluid side B to permit fluid to flow into fluid side A, while then permitting valve 530 to slowly close as fluid side B maintains this higher pressure. Thus, this valve is seen to moderate the pressure rise rate in fluid side B. When a valve with this capability is used in a typical application such as a lawn and garden tractor, the pressure rise rate valve reduces tractor jerking when a user actuates the transaxle displacement controls rapidly.

Piston 80 is positioned within cylinder 82, which is further positioned within spring 538 and then valve insert 536. Piston 80 comprises tapered surface 545, which is formed at piston first end 83. Piston 80 is positioned within valve insert 536 such that it can be selectively sealably engaged with opening 543 at tapered surface 545, as shown, for example, in FIG. 38.

Piston 80 also comprises central passage 81, which extends from piston first end 83 into, but not completely through, piston 80. Groove 80B is formed on the surface of piston 80 closer to the end of central passage 81 than to first end 83. Bore 80A is formed in groove 80B, hydraulically connecting central passage 81 with groove 80B.

Piston 80 is slidably positioned within cylinder 82. Cylinder 82 comprises flange 82B, formed at cylinder first end 86. Flange 82B is comprised of a plurality of fins 82A that project radially from flange 82B.

Accumulator 85 is formed between end 84 of piston 80 and internal surface 87 of cylinder 82. When piston 80 is in the closed position and cylinder 82 is in the first position (as discussed in detail below), accumulator 85 is empty, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39. When cylinder 82 is in any position other than that shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, and piston 80 is either in the closed position or moving toward the closed position (as discussed in detail below), accumulator 85 comprises the volume between piston second end 84 and internal cylinder surface 87, as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42.

Cylinder 82 is slidably positioned within valve insert 536. Pressure rise rate spring 538 is also positioned within valve insert 536 and engaged to both flange 82B and valve stop 537. Pressure rise rate spring 538 initially biases cylinder 82 in the first position as explained in detail below and shown, for example, in FIG. 38.

FIG. 38 depicts the system at or near neutral pressure, where the fluid pressure in fluid side B is equal to that in accumulator 85. In the event of a sudden increase in fluid pressure in fluid side B, the fluid pressure in accumulator 85 will not increase at the same rate due to the restriction between the outer surface of piston 80 and the inner surface of cylinder 82. The increased force on piston 80 due to the increased pressure in fluid side B will urge piston 80 from the closed, engaged position, as shown, for example, in FIG. 38, to the open, disengaged position, as shown, for example, in FIG. 41. Likewise, cylinder 82 will move from the first position shown in FIG. 38 to the second position shown in FIG. 41. It will be understood that the amount of initial travel is exaggerated in FIG. 41, as piston 80 needs to move away from opening 543 only by thousandths of an inch to provide effective pressure rise rate control. In this initial position, fluid will flow through opening 543, past fins 82A and through the central portion of valve insert 536. Then fluid will flow out openings 549, past valve insert 536 and into sump 26 (not shown), or out openings 47 past the open areas of valve stop 537 into sump 26.

Fluid will also continue to flow into central passage 81, through bore 80A, into accumulator 85. As fluid continues to flow into accumulator 85, the fluid pressure in accumulator 85 will begin to approach that of fluid side B. As pressure builds in accumulator 85, piston 80 is urged back into the closed position, as shown in FIG. 42, thus completing the pressure rise rate valve function. The movement toward the closed position occurs because the diameter D1 of piston 80 is greater than the diameter D2 of opening 543, which provides the net force acting upward on piston 80 in, e.g., FIG. 41. A ratio of D2/D1 that achieves stable operation is about 92%. The ratio of D2/D1 also corresponds to a ratio of area A2 of opening 543 to the cross-sectional area A1 of piston 80 (i.e., A2/A1) of about 85.0%. A ratio of D2/D1 too close to 100% leads to unstable valve operation characterized by valve flutter. If the ratio of D2/D1 is too low, the pressure differential required for effective pressure rise rate control becomes too high.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. For example, while valve 30 is illustrated as being positioned in one side of a hydraulic circuit, it will be appreciate that such a valve 30 can also be positioned in the opposite side of a hydraulic circuit. Further, it may be desirable to include such valves on both sides of a hydraulic circuit. In addition, it should be appreciated by those with skill in the art that each of the different embodiments of the valve described herein may include valve inserts having one or more valve stops and that the valve stops may form integral or separate portions of the respective valve insert. Moreover, each of the various valve stop designs discussed above may be used in connection with different valve designs as desired. Accordingly, the particular arrangement disclosed is meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof. 

1. A valve for use in regulating the flow of fluid between a first fluid side and a second fluid side in a hydraulic circuit, the valve comprising: a valve body having a first end and a second end and an aperture extending from a first opening formed on the first end to a second opening formed on the second end; a valve insert slidably positioned within the valve body, the valve insert comprising a first end and a second end which forms a valve stop, wherein the valve stop cooperates with an edge of the second valve body opening to limit the movement of the valve insert in a first direction; a check poppet attached to the first end of the valve insert, wherein the check poppet is selectively, sealably engaged to the valve body to limit movement of the valve insert in a second direction opposite the first direction, the check poppet comprising a poppet opening; a cylinder slidable within the valve insert; a cylinder flange located at one end of the cylinder; a spring positioned between the cylinder flange and the valve insert, wherein the spring biases the cylinder toward the check poppet; a piston slidably positioned within the cylinder and selectively engaged to the check poppet opening, the piston comprising a first end and a second end; and an accumulator formed between the piston and the cylinder proximate to second end of the piston.
 2. The valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the piston further comprises a central passage.
 3. The valve as set forth in claim 2, wherein the piston comprises a bore hydraulically connecting the accumulator with the central passage.
 4. The valve as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a groove formed on the piston proximate to the bore.
 5. The valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the poppet opening is approximately 85% as large as the cross sectional area of the piston measured at the second end thereof.
 6. The valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the piston engages the check poppet opening at a tapered surface formed on the first end of the piston.
 7. The valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cylinder flange comprises a plurality of fins extending radially therefrom.
 8. The valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cylinder flange is integrally formed on the cylinder.
 9. A valve assembly for regulating the flow of fluid between a first fluid side and a second fluid side in a hydraulic circuit comprising: a check valve comprising: a valve body; a valve insert slidably positioned within the valve body and having a first end and a second end; and a check poppet attached to the first end of the valve insert and selectively sealably engaged to the valve body, wherein the attachment of the check poppet to the first end of the valve insert slidably retains the valve insert within the valve body, and wherein the check poppet disengages from the valve body when the fluid pressure on the second fluid side is greater than the fluid pressure on the first fluid side; and a pressure rise rate valve comprising: a cylinder having a first end and a second end; a piston slidably positioned within the cylinder and having a first end and a second end, the piston being selectively sealably engaged to an opening in the check poppet, wherein a sudden increase in fluid pressure in the first fluid side will temporarily disengage the piston from the check poppet opening; a spring engaged to the cylinder and biasing the cylinder toward the check poppet; and an accumulator hydraulically connected to the first fluid side and formed between the piston and the cylinder proximate to the piston second end.
 10. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein the cylinder is slidably positioned within the valve insert.
 11. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 10, further comprising a cylinder flange formed on the cylinder first end, and a plurality of fins extending radially from the cylinder flange.
 12. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein the spring is positioned between the cylinder flange and valve insert.
 13. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein the ratio of the area of the poppet opening to that of the cross sectional area of the piston measured at the second end thereof is approximately 17/20.
 14. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein the piston further comprises a central passage extending from the piston first end, and a bore hydraulically connecting the central passage with the accumulator.
 15. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein the piston engages the poppet opening at a tapered surface formed on the piston first end.
 16. A valve assembly for regulating the flow of fluid between a first fluid side and a second fluid side in a hydraulic circuit, the valve assembly comprising: a check poppet having an opening; a cylinder movable with respect to the check poppet and having a first end and a second end; a cylinder flange located on the cylinder; a piston having a first end, a second end and an internal passage extending therein from the first end, the piston slidably positioned within the cylinder and selectively sealably engaged to the check poppet opening, wherein a sudden increase in fluid pressure in the first fluid side will temporarily disengage the piston from the check poppet opening; a spring engaged to the cylinder flange and biasing the cylinder toward the check poppet; and an accumulator hydraulically engaged to the first fluid side, the accumulator formed between the piston and the cylinder proximate to the piston second end, wherein an increase in pressure in the first fluid side causes the volume of the accumulator to increase, urging the piston to engage the check poppet opening.
 17. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 16, wherein the valve assembly further comprises: a valve body; a valve insert slidably positioned within the valve body, wherein the check poppet is removably secured to a first end of the valve insert and selectively sealably engaged to the valve body, wherein the attachment of the check poppet to the first end slidably retains the valve insert within the valve body, and the check poppet disengages from the valve body when the fluid pressure on the second fluid side is greater than the fluid pressure on the first fluid side; and wherein both the cylinder and the spring are at least partially positioned within the valve insert.
 18. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the check poppet is positioned external to the valve body.
 19. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 16, further comprising a bore formed in the piston to hydraulically connect the accumulator to the internal passage in the piston.
 20. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 17, wherein the poppet opening has a first diameter and the piston has a second diameter, the ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is approximately 23/25.
 21. A valve for regulating the flow of fluid between a first fluid side and a second fluid side in a hydraulic circuit, the valve comprising: a valve body having a first end, a second end, and an aperture extending the length of the valve body from a first opening at the first end to a second opening at the second end; a valve insert slidably positioned within the valve body, the valve insert comprising a valve stop having a width greater than the diameter of the aperture; a check poppet selectively engaged to the valve insert and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the aperture; a poppet opening extending through the check poppet; a cylinder having a flange, the cylinder slidably positioned within the valve insert; a piston slidably positioned within the cylinder; and a first spring positioned between the valve insert and the cylinder, wherein the attachment of the check poppet to the valve insert retains the check poppet, valve insert, cylinder, piston and first spring within the valve body.
 22. The valve as set forth in claim 21, further comprising a second spring positioned between the valve insert and the valve body.
 23. The valve as set forth in claim 22, wherein the second spring is positioned between the stop formed on the valve insert and a step formed on the valve body adjacent an aperture opening.
 24. The valve as set forth in claim 22, wherein the second spring extends from a stop formed on the valve insert into the valve body aperture to engage a step formed within the aperture.
 25. The valve as set forth in claim 21, wherein the piston has a first diameter and the poppet opening has a second diameter, and the second diameter is approximately 92% of the first diameter.
 26. The valve as set forth in claim 21, further comprising a plurality of fins extending radially from the cylinder flange. 